"The Job I HATE the most."
" The job I HATE the most. "
January 23 at 10:27 A.M.
Suddenly thought of how my life had been as I was on the train heading to the hair salon.
Riding a train in Japan is relatively silent.
You see people locked on their phones, having some shuteye, reading books, or staring blankly at the windows, precisely what I am doing now.
It takes 40 minutes to get there, and I can't help but space out. I bet you have those moments, too.
Well, let me share mine. That is the most random reflection I ever thought would pop.
Between 2009 to 2012, I was in dire straits.
Everything was insufferable. I juggled life and school, and maturity kicked in so fast that the only resort was to keep them on balance. It's close to surfing on big waves.
I tried working in my profession after I graduated. However, we were a sea of licensed nurses applying to a few hospitals eventually led us to call center opportunities.
I made use of at least one of my strengths. Fortunately, I landed a position in chat support but only stayed for a short time. I learned a lot in that job especially communicating with people, which is my weakness.
2012 allowed me to be a volunteer nurse for about a year, but I had to let go due to financial constraints. It was the crux of the matter.
Then I saw one job posting later that year, which was the game changer. It is a game changer for these reasons.
1. I am an introvert and am poor at social communication and relationships.
2. The salary is smaller than in my previous job.
3. No experience in this field.
4. I need a stable job.
5. And solely rely on one strength - English, which is purely stock knowledge.
I wanted to start from the bottom regardless of anything. Sounds stupid? But yeah. I want to learn the hard and long way. Targeting all my weaknesses and all the disadvantages I could think of about myself.
January 2013 - I got hired.
I swore to myself that I would accept whatever failures I would encounter, never blame myself, and cherish everything. I was grasping at straws.
Want to know the job?
I applied for an ESL job.
Teaching English let me realize these things.
1. I am not clever, and I have to learn more. Stay foolish.
2. To be a teacher is to be a student.
3. Being a teacher never means being superior. We are knowledgeable in different ways, thus making us all equal.
4. Accept your weakness and make it your strength.
5. Open-mindedness is the solution to all forms of indifferences.
6. Value little successes - even being punctual at work.
7. Know when to stop and move on.
Those mentioned brought me to the place where I am now. I even went for training. My passion for this job went this far.
(A file in my Teaching Qualification Training)
To my English coaches, seniors, ex-coworkers, ex-students, and ex-bosses, I am appreciative of all of you. You helped me love the job I hate the most and mark my decade as an English educator.
I am still determining how long I'll stay in this profession; time alone will tell.
So far, my rhythm for teaching is still upbeat.
How about you? What's one thing that you dislike doing that eventually turned out well?
Oops! I just arrived at my destination!
It's time to get off and spend some "Me-Time" in the salon.
Till next!
Mei